The pandemic has changed our lives in many different ways. This abrupt change has fueled exhaustion and mass panic. With so many misconceptions, stigmatizations, and myths regarding COVID-19 spreading throughout social media, it is often hard to find accurate, factual information. Using credible sources, let's tackle the myths surrounding the COVID-19 vaccine.
Written by Navreen Dosanjh
Myth #1: The COVID-19 vaccine was rushed and is not safe.
Fact: The COVID-19 vaccine was not rushed. Although vaccine development can usually take up to 10 years, thanks to new vaccine technology using material like messenger RNA (mRNA) and the increased global cooperation spurred by the contagious nature of the disease, the vaccine was developed in record time. Despite the quick development of the vaccine, all safety protocols were followed and adequate testing was done. Many study participants were used in the clinical trials and the vaccine was released only after results were well studied and reviewed.
Myth #2: The COVID-19 vaccine will give me COVID-19.
Fact: Vaccines do not cause disease. Rather, they help train the immune system to recognize and fight a disease. Vaccines contain mRNA, genetic material, enters the cell and produces spike protein, similar to the one found on the virus. The body’s immune system creates antibodies to eliminate the protein. This method trains the immune system to fight off similar proteins for the future.
Myth #3: The COVID-19 vaccine has severe side effects.
Fact: All vaccines include common moderate side effects, including chills, fatigue, headache, or a fever. These side effects generally show that the immune system is working the way it is meant to! Human testing for the vaccine has shown that there are no severe side effects, only the expected moderate ones.
Conclusion
Many individuals are anxious about the vaccine due to what they have heard on the news or social media. However, with a quick google search, credible sources show that these misconceptions can quickly be countered. We encourage you to share this factual information with others to help reduce the panic and anxiety a lot of people are facing with COVID-19. Here are some credible sources:
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